Rugby Lions maintained their push for automatic
promotion with a hard fought victory over an impressive Luton outfit,
making the winning score and taking the lead for the first time in the
match 5 minutes from time.
In a thoroughly entertaining game, Luton began well,
dominating possession and territory and utilising their speedy backs at
every opportunity. They took the lead on 8 minutes with a penalty from
fly half James Offer. Glenn Bond uncharacteristically failed to level
the score with another penalty two minutes later.
Back came Luton who were rewarded for more pressure
from their pack when their scrum half picked up following a ruck from 5
metres and went over under the posts for a converted try and a 10-0
lead.
Lions responded well and following a series of
storming runs Danny Facer crashed over to reduce the deficit. Glenn
again scuffed his conversion attempt. Exchanges were more even now and
despite another penalty for the visitors on 31 minutes Lions scored
their second try when Paul Thompson went over following decisive runs
from Ricky Hislop and Alex Nash. Glenn slotted the conversion to reduce
Luton’s advantage to just one point.
Half Time Rugby Lions 12 Luton 13
Wilf Barclay replaced James Wadey with Danny Facer
reverting to No.8.
Luton began the second half in a similar vein and
scored a lovely try by their left-winger following a deft gruber kick to
break the home defence. James Offer converted superbly from the
touchline to make the score 12-20 after 2 minutes.
Back came the Lions and a good break and chip through
by Dave Clements was ended when he was late tackled. The offender was
perhaps fortunate to avoid the sin-bin although Luton were punished when
Glenn Bond slotted the resulting penalty. A further penalty on 19
minutes following a lineout offence made the score 18-20. With both
teams running the ball at every opportunity it made for a thrilling
spectacle and the exchanges were fairly even although the home side were
now beginning to shade territory.
A lovely touch kick by Glenn Bond resulted in a
lineout to Luton 18 metres from their try line with the clock showing 38
minutes. The ball was thrown long and sailed over all the Luton players
for Wilf to take. Despite three or four defenders in the way Wilf was
not to be denied and crashed through to score just to the right of the
posts. Glenn Bond converted to give the home team a five point lead.
Luton responded strongly and won a penalty in from of
the Lion’s posts. Instead of taking a scrum and utilising their backs
they tapped the ball and attempted to drive over the line. This
back-fired as they lost the ball forward and the final whistle ended a
pulsating match.
Luton will count themselves unlucky and were
certainly one of the most impressive teams Lions have faced this season.
However with Lions outscoring Luton by three tries to two and
considering the injury and unavailability situation at the moment it was
a satisfying victory for the home players and supporters.
